Russia Today: Heavily-armed white men patrol Ferguson, ready to confront authorities [View all]

[951-Riverside]

Armed to teeth with semi-automatic assault rifles and handguns, members of the Oath Keepers militia, formed of former and current law enforcement and military officers, have blended into the crowd of Ferguson protesters, saying “We’re on your side.”

At least four members of the 'Oath Keepers' arrived in Ferguson on early Tuesday and began patrolling the West Florissant Avenue, walking through the crowds of protesters gathered there for a ‘day of civil disobedience’ following the anniversary of the killing of 18-year-old African-American Michael Brown, shot dead by white Police Officer Darren Wilson.

The Oath Keepers are wearing military harness, bullet-proof vests and are armed with AR-15 assault rifles. Videos and pictures posted online show that the Oath Keepers spotted at the rally are all white. Allegedly, they have an agreement with police not to walk through the ranks of law enforcement, according to a Guardian reporter. They are also cited to "be on the protesters' side."

The appearance of heavily-armed white men stirred unease on the part of the civil rights activists from the Black Lives Matter movement, heavily represented at Ferguson protests.

http://www.rt.com/usa/312178-ferguson-oath-keepers-patrols/